Methodist dominated imprisonment trend in Fiji in 2016

The Methodist denomination continues to dominate the imprisonment trend in Fiji having increased by 4 percent in 2016 compared to the same period in 2015.

Following closely is the Seventh Day Adventist denomination registering a 4.7 percent increase in 2016.

There were a total of 1,739 inmates in our prisons between June and July in 2016 out of which 468 were Methodists.

189 were Catholic, 191 were AOG followers, 308 SDA, 64 Muslim and 154 Hindus.

This information has been revealed in the Fiji Corrections Service 2016 Report from January to July.

The Fiji Corrections Service today made submissions before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence.

In its report, Fiji Corrections Service says each inmate upon admission into the prison is also identified by their religious denomination as this is an integral part of inmates rehabilitation.

This is also an avenue where religious leaders and faith-based organisations assist in moulding inmates’ spiritual well-being to assist them in attaining testimony of rightful living whilst in custody and upon their release.

Meanwhile, provincial representation showed that 210 people from the province of Tailevu were imprisoned in 2016 which was the highest in comparison to other provinces.

Lau was second with 144 people imprisoned while the Ba province accounted for 128 inmates.

Total Average number of inmates by denomination

Source: Fiji Corrections Services